India successfully launches first navigation satellite

India launches its first dedicated navigation satellite from Sriharikota.

A thick bright blueish white light streaked up from the ground as the PSLV rocket zoomed up and disappeared into thick dark clouds, on its journey to ferry India's first navigational satellite into its space orbit on Monday night.

The first midnight launch of PSLV rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, some 80 km from Chennai, was declared a success within few minutes by the scientists of ISRO.

India’s old warhorse in space, PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), was on its latest mission on Monday night to power the country's first regional navigational satellite into space.

This achievement also lands India into an exclusive group of nations that own satellites which help navigation on the ground.

The 1,425-kg IRNSS 1A satellite has a navigational payload and a ranging payload, which together give the users accurate information that helps vehicles navigate correctly.

We have had another excellent launch of the PSLV rocket, ISRO chairman S Radhakrishnan told a crowded press conference after the liftoff.